The Content Of The Stereotype: Sociability And Competence

The stereotypes we hold are closely associated with the image we have of groups. A simplified image, with few details. We use this image to value all members of the same group equally and it serves to justify certain behaviors. Although each stereotype is different and is made up of different traits.  In addition, the stereotype usually includes two characteristics: sociability and competence.

Some common stereotypes are that Spaniards love to party and flamenco. However, a good siesta is also necessary. Italians are gangsters and all Latinos know how to dance very well. Likewise, all Arabs are terrorists and Asians are all the same. Not to mention that women are said to be warmer and more sensitive than men. These and many others are very popular stereotypes.

The content of the stereotype

The stereotype content model posits that all group stereotypes are formed along two dimensions: sociability and competence. The model is based on the notion that people are evolutionarily predisposed to evaluate, first, the intentions of strangers, whether to harm or help (the sociability dimension, although it is also known as warmth) and, second, to judge the stranger’s ability to act on that perceived intention (the competence dimension).

Thus, groups that compete are considered to be unsociable and are treated with hostility or disdain. On the other hand, social groups and individuals with a high social status (for example, economically or educationally successful) are considered to be highly competent. Thus, when there is no threat, they are considered sociable, while status symbols will determine competence.

Dimensions of sociability and competence

The stereotype content model, as we have seen, has two dimensions (sociability and competence) on which the different groups are evaluated. In this way, the groups and their members can score higher or lower on each dimension, giving rise to four conditions. Let us look at the dimensions separately:

• Sociability: Sociability is paramount since it will determine relationships. If a person is considered to have little sociability, we are not likely to try to relate to them. As we have seen, (perceived) sociability will depend in part on the degree of threat they represent. Sociability also has a morality component. A more sociable person is generally considered to be more moral.
• Competence: Those with high status are judged to be more competent than those with low status. However, this dimension is less important than sociability.

Behaviors and emotions according to the content of the stereotype

To this model of stereotypes formed by sociability and competence, behaviors and emotions were added that corresponded to each of the dimensions that formed the model. Thus, those considered high in sociability and competence were considered more likely to arouse admiration. On the other hand, those judged as high in sociability and low in competence were more likely to receive paternalistic treatment. For example, the elderly .

On the other side are those who are seen as unsociable and highly competent. They would arouse envy and would be the perfect candidates to be used as scapegoats when things go wrong. Some groups that have historically been categorized in this way are Jews, Asians, and feminists. Finally, those who are low in sociability and competence would provoke contempt and the action towards them is rejection and dehumanization. Commonly, homeless people are in this group.

In this way, we group different social groups and their members. The groups that come off worst are those that are considered low in both competence and sociability. Social studies tell us that we try to avoid people from these groups. In contrast, those who are high in sociability and competence tend to be members of our group, our own. This is partly where group favoritism or in-group bias comes from.